A Memorial

Posted on May 28, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

“The priest is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense on the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the LORD.” Leviticus 6:15

I have some great memories that are recalled with certain smells. I can remember my grandmother’s cooking when I smell garlic, the smell of Old Spice brings a smile to my face when I think of my Dad. Also, with every season comes a scent, these scents help to be a reminder of what that season brings. Spring has a fragrance, summer brings a reminder of summer fun, fall is reminiscent of cooler weather and Winter, its bliss. Most people will say that the sense of smell is the strongest sense that brings things to a remembrance. A smell can either be a sweet aroma or a dreadful stench.

I sometimes wonder why God ordained burnt offerings. Could it be that like a campfire, that brings the smell of burning wood and serves as a reminder of times past? Did the children of Israel remember God’s forgiveness each time a meal was prepared over fire? A picture may speak a thousand words, but a smell puts you in the moment of things past, both good and bad.

With the first burnt offering after the flood in Genesis 8 it records God’s reaction to the smell.

And the LORD smelled a soothing aroma. Then the LORD said in His heart, “I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, although the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; nor will I again destroy every living thing as I have done.

 “While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”

I wonder if the aroma brought back the memory of when the earth was pure. Whatever it was, it served as “A Memorial”. It’s good to be reminded of things in the past, some serve as a tenderizer, softening our hearts from a hurtful event. Sometimes a memorial recalls a heart of gratitude, Memorial Day is a day to remember those that fought for our freedom. Most lessons are learned from being reminded of things past.

Of course, we have the most important memorial, the Lord’s Supper, “Do this in remembrance of Him”.

In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians he reminds us, “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma”. Let’s conduct ourselves in a way that our attitude and action create a sweet-smelling aroma to God, Amen!

Written By Rob Russomano: Rob Russomano is married to Terri and serves with her as full-time staff members. He is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and is available as a speaker of the grace of God with a message of Hope for church events. You can reach him at rrussomano@americaskeswick.org

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Think About This: “Never cut a tree down in the wintertime. Never make a negative decision in the low time. Never make your most important decisions when you are in your worst moods. Wait. Be patient. The storm will pass. The spring will come.” -Robert H. Schuller

The Daily Bible Reading: Psalms 58-62| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize:  “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. ³³ But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. – Matthew 10:32-33

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.